Rae has caught the bug! These little hexagons are so portable – and addictive.
In fact, the Frederica Josephson Quilt from Kim McLean’s pattern in Dr Annette Gero’s book “The Fabric of Society” is the perfect take-along project.
Little by little, piece by piece, they come together in moments of spare time, each one a little treasure.
A gold star for your fussy cutting, Rae
That’s how I was feeling when I arrived at Gail’s this morning for the English Quilt group’s monthly get-together. 
With deadlines looming for a few other projects like the craft stall for St Luke’s Care my hand-pieced version of Joseph’s Coat (aka Jill’s Quilt by our little group) hasn’t been out of its box since our May get-together at Jill’s place, and I was convinced the others would have theirs almost finished by now.
It turns out I wasn’t the only one temporarily diverted.
Jill’s been absorbed in making Chris Jurd’s beautiful quilt, Deauville. Look at her progress since last month.
Gail is using this rainbow of cotton sateen sample fabrics to whip up a Bento Box quilt for her son, using the subtle colour gradations to wonderful effect.
And Anne is meticulously embroidering a cashmere blanket for her new little granddaughter, due to arrive in the next month.
Our “quiet achiever”, Rae, hasn’t been idle either, and next time I’ll show you what she’s been up to.
Di
Added later – For enquiring minds, Anne’s teddies are from a Windflower Embroidery pattern which she bought a few years ago from the Crewel Gobelin at Killara in Sydney (Australia). The bears are made from velour and you simply have to touch them
It’s been quite a few years since I’ve picked up a crochet hook, but with our annual fundraiser for St Luke’s Care fast approaching I’ve been rediscovering the joys of crocheting. I’d forgotten how much I love the feel of the wool running through my hands, especially during winter.
There are so many gorgeous new patterns around for babies’ booties, and they take no time at all to whip up for the craft stall.
Bootie styles have certainly changed since my children were babies. Aren’t they just so cute?
I have more to come too – but you’ll just have to wait 
Di
Winter has arrived with a vengeance here on the east coast of Australia.
On a bone-chillingly cold day like today it would have been quite understandable if the lure of hot coffee, sweet nibbles, ugg boots and an exciting quilt project to work on in cosy surroundings had kept our St Mark’s Quilters at home.
But they didn’t give a hoot about the cold! 
For our monthly workshop it was all hands on deck 
as a grand total of 14 quilters came through the door over the course of the day.
(Hover your mouse over each photo in this post to see whose work it is)
We’re currently making Blankets of Love, little quilts to be given to grieving parents whose tiny bubs don’t survive their journey into the world, or whose first days are spent in Newborn Intensive Care.
A few quilts have been finished since last month’s workshop.
Amanda made friends with the open toe walking foot, and used the Hera marker to rule her guidelines.
By the end of the day she had finished the quilting and attached the binding ready for some relaxing hand stitching at home.
Michelle laid out her blocks for a raggy quilt.
Perdita started a new baby quilt in my very favourite colour
And Helen was knitting squares for Wrap with Love.
On a day when the weather outside was distinctly lacking in warmth, in our hall at St Mark’s we had it all (almost) - hot coffee, sweet nibbles, and an exciting quilt project to work on in cosy surroundings.
There wasn’t an ugg boot in sight, but there was the warmth that creating quilts with like-minded souls always brings.
Di
I just had to share this photo of Jack at 10 weeks old watching his first Apple keynote address with his Daddy, a fan of all things Apple.
I wonder when he’ll get his first app…
His 4 year old cousin loves to play with that naughty Talking Tom, as well as the Disney Princess Dress-up Sticker Book app on my iPad.
But the most surreal iPad experience I’ve had was last Saturday night, around midnight.
I was tucked up in my warm bed with my iPad (nicknamed the DiPad) reading all the latest postings by my blogging friends when a text message came through on my mobile phone from halfway around the world.
It was from Sarah – did I tell you my daughter’s currently at the Kalahari Meerkat Project in South Africa?
She was sitting on a dune in the Kalahari Desert, the only place for miles around where she can get 3G reception, uploading photos to Facebook, when her iPad had shut down.
Looking down at a black screen she was having a quiet panic, Apple stores being in seriously short supply in the Kalahari Desert, and needed some advice. (Ah, you always need your Mum…)
Mum’s Help Desk did a quick Google on the DiPad, as I snuggled down under the covers, and came up with the solution which was swiftly conveyed by return text message to the bereft Sarah.
Hold down the Home button and the Power button simultaneously for 5 seconds.
It worked!!! And she called me a legend!
So now it’s official. I have it in writing, at least in a text message on my phone 
Now this legend is off to play Words with Friends on the DiPad. Game, anybody?
Di
With some projection wizardry the Sydney Customs House building was made to appear as if it was filling with water …
Even more amazing was this effect where the building seemed to come alive, inhale deeply, and emit smoke as it gave a cough!
Di
 |
 |
| This slideshow personalized with Smilebox |
